Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

NORWICH City slipped to their third defeat on the spin after losing 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion at Carrow Road.

Salomon Rondon's goal in the first minute of the second half proved the difference on an afternoon when the Canaries saw a lot of the ball but lacked an attacking spark.

Their best spell was the opening 20 minutes of the game, but they didn't capitalise and once Tony Pulis' Baggies went ahead, they defended resolutely as a group to hold onto their lead and earn the three points.

It means City have won just once at home in the league this season, and Alex Neil will have plenty of food for thought with two testing away games at Everton and Manchester City to come in the next seven days.

After last Sunday's heavy loss at Newcastle, Neil changed his defence around by introducing Ryan Bennett at centre-half and moving skipper Russell Martin to right-back.

Robbie Brady reverted to left-back, leaving Steven Whittaker and Martin Olsson on the bench. Matt Jarvis and Wes Hoolahan returned to the starting eleven, with Neil making three alterations from St James' Park.

West Brom lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Saido Berahino and Rondon leading their attack. Pulis' side went into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Sunderland last weekend.

Norwich started positively with the home crowd in good voice - Hoolahan turned a shot over the bar after a move involving Jarvis and Nathan Redmond, before Jonny Howson drove an effort over the bar 20 yards from goal.

Chris Brunt had tested John Ruddy with a rasping shot in between, but Neil's team carried more of a threat in the opening portion of the game.

Redmond forced a smart stop from Boaz Myhill on 17 minutes, with the winger expertly controlling Hoolahan's driven pass before firing in a low shot from the angle.

West Brom grew into the contest and City were fortunate when a well-worked free-kick from the visitors didn't result in a goal as Craig Dawson's low cross into the six-yard box evaded everyone.

The Canaries responded well though, and Redmond had another opportunity when he met Jarvis' cross, but he lofted his touch over the bar on the half volley.

The tempo of the match increased once again as half-time drew closer, and City had a huge let-off when Dawson met a corner inside the six-yard but somehow managed to head the ball down into the ground, seeing it then bounce over the bar.

Mbokani saw a close-range effort blocked after Howson's well-struck shot deflected near to him, but then it was West Brom who had the final opportunity of the 45 minutes, with Rondon stretching to head Brunt's cross over.

HALF-TIME: Norwich City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

City were caught out within a minute of the restart as West Brom were allowed the space to create an opening down the left hand side.

Saido Berahino's sharp control and pass played in James McClean, who stood a cross up for Rondon to rise above Sebastien Bassong and power his header past Ruddy.

Neil's men endeavoured to get back into it but West Brom were happy to retreat, and City were left searching for the key to unlock their defence as the contest entered its final third.

The Baggies always carried a threat in the final third, with Brunt once again showing his willingness to test Ruddy, this time firing in a drive right-footed from the corner of the box.

Norwich were struggling to find a way to break their opponents down and Neil switched things up by introducing Cameron Jerome for Hoolahan.

Despite having a succession of corners, however, Myhill wasn't being tested often enough - Bassong nodded wide, and Tettey struck a shot from range straight at West Brom's 'keeper, and it was West Brom who took the spoils.

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